A look at the saltiest foods

The Associated Press

The Food and Drug Administration is preparing voluntary guidelines that will encourage the food industry to make their foods less salty in an effort to reduce heart attacks and strokes. Most of that sodium isn’t from the salt shaker, but is hidden inside common processed foods and restaurant meals.

Some of the saltiest foods , based on 2010 data from the Agriculture Department:

— Burgers and sandwiches, which provide 21 percent of Americans’ total sodium intake.

— Rice, pasta and grain dishes, 7 percent.

— Meat, poultry and seafood dishes, 6 percent.

— Pizza, 6 percent.

— Dairy, 5 percent.

— Soups, 4 percent.

— Condiments, gravies, spreads and salad dressings, 4 percent.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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